Air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay

ABSTRACT

The air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay is for use with a wheelchair to provide bedsore and decubitus ulcer wound treatment for a user. The overlay has a seat portion used to support the user&#39;s buttocks area while seated in the wheelchair, a back support portion to support the user&#39;s back area while seated in the wheelchair, a rechargeable battery pack, a compressor to provide pressurized air, an emergency button, and a control unit that houses and controls the rechargeable battery pack. A plurality of airflow tubes are located in the seat portion and the back portion and are provided with fine granules that are incorporated into pressurized air from the compressor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/590,937, filed Jul. 26, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an air fluidized granular wound carewheelchair overlay that is placed on a wheelchair or similar device, andused for the treatment of decubitus ulcers and bedsores.

2. Description of the Related Art

The development of decubitus ulcers and bedsores can be a seriousproblem for non-ambulatory medical patients. As part of their treatment,these patients depend on the use of wheelchairs or similar devices tocontinue treatment compliance while offering these patients the addedmobility offered by the wheelchair or similar device. The wheelchairsare often provided with padded overlays to enhance the comfort of thepatient. Some of these overlays are reflected in the related art.

U.S. patent Publication No. 2002/0007136, published on Jan. 17, 2002,describes a pressure relief pad for persons suffering from or subject tothe formation of decubitus ulcers or bedsores. The pressure relief padis made from viscoelastic foam layers, which provide for theredistribution of pressure around an affected or wounded area allowingthe wound to heal faster. The contoured viscoelastic foam pad can bepositioned over a separately applied dressing or an exudated absorbingmaterial that can be included in the pad.

U.S. patent Publication No. 2002/0027384, published on Mar. 7, 2002,discloses a pneumatic seat adjustable for a bedside chair, wheelchair orother type of seat, having a series of air cells controlled and operatedthrough a microchip. The cells are inflated to a level of inflationadjusted to the weight of the body. In an order pre-set in themicrochip, one cell at a time sequentially deflates for a predeterminedlength of time, thus allowing unobstructed blood flow to the part of thebody above the deflated cell.

U.S. patent Publication No. 2003/0212357, published on Nov. 13, 2003,teaches a method and an apparatus for treating wounds by applying oxygenand reduced pressure and/or other medication sufficient in time andmagnitude to induce healing and closure of the wound. The method andapparatus are applicable to wounds, infected wounds and live tissueattachments. Wound treatment apparatus includes an impermeable woundcover sealably positioned over the wound. A screen of material, such asopen-cell foam or rigid porous material, is also placed beneath thewound cover and over the wound.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,238, issued to Rich, Jr. on Oct. 5, 1971, describesa wound infection prevention device, for the treatment of burns and skinlesions with a cellular-foam plastic pad encased by impervious plasticsheets and to which air under pressure may be fed to an annular spaceabout the periphery of the foam plastic pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,480, issued to Morell on Jun. 28, 1988, discloses amodifiable pressure distribution pad assembly for a wheelchair with abottom pad of resilient foam material of high density and at least oneupper pad of resilient foam material of intermediate density having atleast one cutout defining an opening therethrough. Filler foam materialof low density is frictionally mounted as an insert in at least one ofthe openings of one of the pads and is removable therefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,948, issued to Paul et al. on Jan. 10, 1989, teachesa support system for a person in a sitting position to vary pressuresproduced on affected body areas adequate to improve blood perfusionthereat. A primary resilient support element is provided that defines agenerally centrally located opening with a second, inflatable fluidsupport element received therein. The inflatable support element islocated to receive the ischial tuberosities thereover and is normallydeflated whereby minimal pressures are generated on body areasthereover.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,940, issued to Maier on Sep. 26, 1995, shows anintegral lower back pressure relief cushion with a substantiallyU-shaped aperture at the lower portion of the cushion open at the bottomand extending from the front to the rear of the cushion, so that thesacral and coccyx areas of the user are free from pressure contact whilethe portions of the cushion on either side of the aperture support theposterior superior iliac spine of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,090, issued to Ladin on Aug. 11, 1998, discloses amethod of healing surface wounds that is facilitated by increasing thewound oxygen tension through the application of an oxygen-generatingwound dressing which renewably and non-sustainingly chemically generatesoxygen. The wound dressing contains an oxygen permeable membrane and anoxygen supply solution reservoir adapted to receive an aqueous liquidcapable of supplying oxygen through a chemical reaction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,289, issued to Wortman et al. on Aug. 18, 1998,describes a mattress wherein at least one fabric strip bridges a foamcrib for an inflatable cushion to provide lateral stability thereto,such as when the mattress is tilted for turning a patient over. Thefabric strip position is selected so that it does not interfere withpressure relief to a portion of the patient's body where pressure ulcersfrequently occur.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,646, issued to Turner on Dec. 22, 1998, teaches apressure reduction mattress construction for a liquid or gel bed havinga flexible basin forming a cavity with inclines at the head and the footof the bed for surrounding and supporting a liquid or gel filledfloatation bladder that is anchored to the head of the basin. Theinclines are made of a soft yielding material to allow the head or footof the bed to be easily raised as the liquid or gel moves toward thecenter of the bed. The head incline also serves to provide a softyielding surface to support a patient after liquid or gel has naturallymoved to the sacral area.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,415, issued to Lilley, Jr. on Jan. 5, 1999,describes a portable seat cushion having both low carrying weight andimproved pressure-reducing properties that also relates to a method forproducing a commercial embodiment of the portable seat cushion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,271, issued to Wilkinson et al. on Mar. 14, 2000,discloses a seating system designed for self-adjusting pressure relieffor use with wheelchairs and other generally confined seatingarrangements. One or more support chambers filled with resilient foamand a fluid such as air are arranged in fluid communication with thechamber. A self-adjusting reservoir is also provided and arranged influid communication with the chamber.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,215, issued to Shah et al. on Jan. 13, 2004, shows aseating apparatus for supporting a lower body region of an immobilizedperson for avoidance and relief of decubitus ulcers which providesregular intervals of seating pressure reduction below a predeterminedseating pressure for a predetermined relief period.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,656, issued to Duarte et al. on Feb. 3, 2004,describes a portable therapeutic device that generates longitudinallypropagating ultrasound and shear waves to provide an effective healingof wounds. A transducer having an operative surface is disposed adjacentto the wound to emit ultrasound to propagate in the direction of thewound to promote healing.

International Patent No. WO 96/10352, published on Apr. 11, 1996,teaches a seating system primarily intended for use in wheelchairs andsimilar applications for reducing the development of decubitus ulcers.The seating system includes a relatively rigid shaped tray and apressure relieving fluid pad. The tray has a thigh supporting shelf anda depressed seating well. The fluid pad preferably has a plurality offluid pouches positionable over the thigh- supporting shelf of the trayand an array of rearward pouches positionable over the depressed seatingwell.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thusan air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay solving theaforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay is for use witha wheelchair to provide bedsore and decubitus ulcer wound treatment fora user. The overlay has a seat portion used to support the user'sbuttocks area while seated in the wheelchair, a back support portion tosupport the user's back area while seated in the wheelchair, arechargeable battery pack, a compressor to provide pressurized air, anemergency button, and a control unit that houses and controls therechargeable battery pack. A plurality of airflow tubes are located inthe seat portion and back support portion and are provided with finegranules that are incorporated into the pressurized air from thecompressor.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide awound overlay pad for a wheelchair that offers greater comfort andhealing than currently used wound pad overlays.

It is another object of the invention to provide a wound overlay pad fora wheelchair having an air-fluidized surface.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a wound overlay padthat will result in a cost savings for treating decubitus ulcers andbedsores.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an air fluidizedgranular wound care wheelchair overlay that will continue treatment of apatient while the patient is sitting in a wheelchair.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an air fluidizedgranular wound care wheelchair overlay according to the presentinvention placed in a wheelchair.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the air fluidized granular woundcare wheelchair overlay of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the seat portion and control unit ofthe air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay of the presentinvention showing the flow of compressed air in the seat portion.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the air fluidized granular wound carewheelchair overlay of the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an air fluidized granular wound care wheelchairoverlay 1 0 for use with a wheelchair WC to provide bedsore anddecubitus ulcer wound treatment for a user (not shown). The overlay 10is depicted in use with a wheelchair WC in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the air fluidized granular woundcare wheelchair overlay 10 comprises a seat portion 20 used to supportthe user's buttocks area while seated in the wheelchair WC, a backsupport portion 30 to support the user's back area while seated in thewheelchair WC, a rechargeable battery pack 40 to provide power to theair fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay 10 and a compressor50 to provide continuous pressurized air to the air fluidized wound carewheelchair overlay 10.

The air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay 10 furthercomprises: an emergency button 60 to indicate if a user is distressed; acontrol unit 70 that houses and controls the rechargeable battery pack40, battery gauge 62, pressure gauge 64 and the emergency button 60; acompressor connected to the control unit; a plurality of airflow tubes80 that are located in the seat portion 20 and provided with finegranules that are incorporated into pressurized air from the compressor50; and a durable and washable fabric 90 over the seat portion 20 andthe plurality of airflow tubes 80. There is also a plurality ofcontinuous airflow pockets and barriers 100 set within the back portion30 that also receive pressurized air from the compressor 50 to supportand provide comfort to the user's back, and a plurality of metal staytabs 110 that temporarily secure the air fluidized wound care wheelchairoverlay 10 to the wheelchair WC.

The air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay 10 istherapeutic and provides treatment of a user's wounds while the user issitting against it. The first component is the durable and washablefabric 90 that is spread over the seat portion 20 and supports theplurality of airflow tubes 80, which encase the air fluidized granularmedia that promotes healing by displacing continuous pressure on theuser's skin. The second component is the plurality of continuous airflowpockets and barriers 100 on the back support portion 30. The thirdcomponent is the control unit 70 that is able to control the airpressure from the compressor 50 and provides access to an emergencybutton 60 in times of distress. The final component is a rechargeablebattery pack 40 that powers the compressor 50 to provide continuousairflow for up to twelve hours.

The air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay 10 can be usedto enhance a user's quality of life by allowing the user to leave a roomwithout leaving any wound care treatment intervention. Users withbedsores and decubitis ulcers may in fact hinder their treatment by notconforming to a physician's orders, or to get out of their bed and intoa wheelchair or Geri-chair. The air fluidized granular wound carewheelchair overlay 10 can continue healing and treatment compliancewhile meeting psychosocial needs by reintroducing patients back intosocial interaction and activities.

To provide patient stability, the air fluidized granular wound carewheelchair overlay 10 can be secured with a plurality of metal stay tabs110 to a wheelchair WC. Other therapy assistance devices such as wedges,lap buddies, foam padding and splints can still be used with the airfluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay 1 0. The control unit70 is disposed on top of the back support portion 30, while thecompressor 50 and the rechargeable battery pack 40 are disposed on theback of the wheelchair WC.

Use of the air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay 10 isstraightforward. The air fluidized granular wound care wheelchairoverlay 10 can be used with a wheelchair WC or Geri-chair. The airfluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay 10 has a patientcapacity of up to 250 lbs and is specifically used for treating StageII, III and IV sacral wounds. A second embodiment of the air fluidizedgranular wound care wheelchair overlay 10 can also be provided with anultrasound attachment for additional treatment.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. An air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay for use witha patient care chair to provide bedsore and decubitus ulcer woundtreatment, the overlay comprising: a seat portion adapted for supportinga user's buttocks area while seated in the patient care chair; a backsupport portion connected to the seat portion, the back portion beingadapted for supporting the user's back area while seated in the patientcare chair; a rechargeable battery pack attached to the back portion; anair compressor electrically connected to the battery pack; a pluralityof air tubes disposed within the seat portion and the back supportportion, the air tubes being connected to the compressor; fine granulesdisposed in the air tubes for providing granulating air delivered intothe air tubes; and a control unit electrically connected to the batterypack and the compressor for controlling airflow to the air tubes.
 2. Theair fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay according to claim1, further comprising an emergency button disposed in said control unitfor signaling user distress.
 3. The air fluidized granular wound carewheelchair overlay according to claim 1, further comprising a batterygauge disposed in the control unit for indicating power available to therechargeable battery pack.
 4. The air fluidized granular wound carewheelchair overlay according to claim 1, further comprising a pressuregauge disposed in said control unit for indicating air pressuregenerated by the compressor.
 5. The air fluidized granular wound carewheelchair overlay according to claim 1, further comprising a durableand washable fabric over the seat portion and the back support portion.6. The air fluidized granular wound care wheelchair overlay according toclaim 1, wherein the air tubes in said back portion air formed into aplurality of continuous airflow pockets, and barriers to support andprovide comfort to the user's back.
 7. The air fluidized granular woundcare wheelchair overlay according to claim 1, further comprising aplurality of metal stay tabs attached to said back support portion andsaid seat portion.